Saber rattling continues- Iranian Admiral: ‘We can move a vessel within three miles of New York City’

IRAN – An official of the Iranian military said last week that the country’s navy has the ability to move a naval vessel within three miles of the East Coast of the United States. Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi, speaking on Tuesday to students of the University of Yazd, Iran, at the anniversary of a failed U.S. military operation in April 24, 1980 (Operation Eagle Claw), said that “The power of our naval forces is such that we have a presence in all the waters of the world and, if needed, we can move to within three miles of New York.” The U.S. launched “Operation Eagle Claw” in 1980 to rescue American hostages held captive at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. The top ranking naval officer added: “The Americans’ only tool to rule the world is their naval dominance of the Persian Gulf, and they will face any other power that threatens their status.” The Daily Caller reports that a Pentagon official reacted to Fadavi’s claim on Friday. He said: “You should ask the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps what their plans are. We support freedom of the seas and encourage all countries to follow international laws.” Daily Caller speculates that Iran could use a commercial vessel sailing under the flag of another country to approach the American shoreline to strike. The website notes that Iran possesses the capability to launch ballistic missiles from a ship. The Daily Caller also reports that on Friday, Iran’s top air force commander, Brigadier General Amri Ali Hajizadeh, told Fars News Agency that the Iranian military has the capability to disable and sink U.S. aircraft carriers. According to YNet News, Hajizadeh said: “First, sinking an aircraft carrier is not a complicated task. Second, an aircraft carrier is equipped with so many advanced, delicate, and sensitive devices… that it could be incapacitated by even the smallest explosion.” Iran’s latest threats were apparently in response to the news that the United States has deployed advanced jet fighters only 200 miles from Iran’s mainland. Digital Journal reports that the U.S. deployed F-22 stealth fighters to an allied base close to Iran’s mainland. According to Digital Journal, “F-22 Raptors that have never been tested under combat conditions are now stationed at the Al Dafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates… the U.S. has been quietly assembling a powerful air-to-air fighting team at bases near Iran. Before the F-22s were deployed, the Air Force deployed the Massachusetts Air National Guard’s 104th Fighter Wing, with 20 F-15Cs, to Southwest Asia.” –Digital Journal